Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<What?! The Labyrinth?!?! I was enamoured by that from the pictures advertised of it - but the reality was sad sad sad. The paint is coming off of nearly everything in there. The "animated figures" barely move and many don't work. The little castle is 50% closed and roped off and it utter disrepair otherwise. It's a wonderful concept, but it is not maintained and looks like crap. The plants aren't even healthy. >> That may well 'have' been the case. But it was recently refurbed and looks brand new. Bright, beautiful, vivid colors. All the figures and effects in operation. The jumping fountains and smoke etc ... everything. Oh, and the flowers and greenery were beautiful too. Every attraction I experienced was in top show condition. The type WDW could only dream of having. There were some issues ... Pan's queue wall resembled a men's room at a truck stop somewhere in a very seedy area. RnRC's queue had very bad walls, but it looked like Ops had ripped things off as it went down for rehab two days later ... still, it was bad show. ... Beyond that the worst I saw attraction wise was some siding on the HISTA building missing (only visible while in the train station). The resort has its issues, everyone does. But if you'd rather have MK my advice would be go right ahead, just one less obnoxious American tourist I have to be compared to when in Paris!
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<I own a DLP annual pass.>> So do I. Wanna join the special Spirits club? on second thought ... nah ... <<I went multiple times over a 2-month period. Things did not improve while I was there, though the Skull rock thingy did go behind tarps and get new concrete flooring. >> Didn't check that out this trip. I do hope they finally dealt with the SEVERE wood rot (Legal would have closed it in the USA) on the Treehouse. Planks were rotted thru on bridge that dropped 15-20 feet to concrete walkway. Was shocked that it stayed like that for YEARS!
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<The point is a large group of people (both rich and poor) are uninsured right now, insurance companies are totally abusing customers by with high costs/poor treatments/and denying them access because of "preexisting conditions". >> I'll gladly be labeled a socialist, but every American should be guaranted quality health insurance and treatment, even if they can't pay a penny. The profit motive needs to be removed from that business. It's the right thing, the human thing, the American thing. Blue Cross Blue Shield isn't interested in my healthcare. They're interested in making billions of profit. Let them go out of business. Let them all. Healthcare can't be a business. There is no compassion in capitalism. You want healthcare to be a business? Go put pricetags on the lives of your loved ones. It really is that simple.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo >>>Didn't check that out this trip. I do hope they finally dealt with the SEVERE wood rot (Legal would have closed it in the USA) on the Treehouse. Planks were rotted thru on bridge that dropped 15-20 feet to concrete walkway. Was shocked that it stayed like that for YEARS!<<< The Treehouse was fuly refurbed and looking like new earlier this year (and yes, it was in a terrible state). But the Jolly Roger still needs a paint job. And the Dragon looked like it needed some real tlc when we were there in May. But overall, it pains me to say it, DLP is not perfect in the maintenance department, but it was still in better shape than WDW was when we went in 2006. And Spirit, I am sorry to hear about Peter Pan - they were fully repainting the queue when we were there in May. But the Europeans are pigs when it comes to graffitti. It is fully acceptable in most European countries, and some colleges even teach courses on it.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 Why are you bringing the ssa into this. That is a seperate issue. how is it a separate issue ? It is a federally run organization just like health care will eventually be. Take Medicare- my sister rns a GP dr's office- medicare is over ayear behind on payments and screws half of them up -- see this is the argument always given, - don't worry we'll do this org better - bull ! They have zero track record of running ANY administrative organization efficiently or effectively... why would health care be any different ? Why would they run it better than companies who have been doing this for years? so don't tell me it doesn't matter- sure it does. Will AIG run any financial group any better than they did the main corp that led to the bailout ? Even if it is an offshoot company ? Why would one think so... Most state and federal organizations are models of ineffiiency and waste, due to patronage.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 Blue Cross Blue Shield isn't interested in my healthcare. They're interested in making billions of profit. Let them go out of business. Let them all. Healthcare can't be a business. There is no compassion in capitalism. You want healthcare to be a business? --------- spirit- and you believe either political party is conerned about your condition ? really ? And both parties as well as all organizations from Freddie Mac to Fannie Mae etc are not run as businesss - There is no preferential treatment based on who one knows ? Seriously ? I have zero problem with wanting all people to be covered- it is the humanitarian thing to do - however someone needs to show the REAL cost of doing such. Lying to people about where the tax impact cutoff will be $250K / year and above and then have it affect anyone making over $50K or even $75k is a bait and switch. I realize campaign promoss are campaign promises - but some freaki' honesty would be appreciated. In Illinois the governor who took over for Blago explained the 100% increase in state income tax is needed to repair the crap that has gone on here for decades all run by one party and one party only. sorry, I an many other can only take so many hits - doubling state income taxes - escalating property taxes to cover for taxes not being paid due to foreclosures , increased taxes on every other single thing from gas to food - living in a state with the highest gas prices / electric / natural gas prices in the country already -- who's worried about me paying my bills ? when government REALLY cuts the waste and the political shenanigans ( i.e pork projects from both parties) and makes a concerted effort to control expenditures I will be far more willing to make additional payments - but when I see the level of corruption that goes on on a daily basis here ( and yes I worked with the Dem machine here years ago- I know exactly how it works - or doesn't work) -
Originally Posted By MPierce >> Blue Cross Blue Shield isn't interested in my healthcare. They're interested in making billions of profit. Let them go out of business. Let them all. Healthcare can't be a business. There is no compassion in capitalism. You want healthcare to be a business? << I hope you can find a bunch of Mother Teresas to run this utopian system that you envision. There sure isn't anybody around right now that could pull it off.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<The Treehouse was fuly refurbed and looking like new earlier this year (and yes, it was in a terrible state). >> That's what I had heard, but I didn't have a chance to check it out. That was a clear and present safety issue. Amazing they let it stay like that for years. <<But the Jolly Roger still needs a paint job. And the Dragon looked like it needed some real tlc when we were there in May.>> The ship still needs paint, but the dragon was in full and terrfic working order. They even have the water fall/crystals from inside the castle downward working, an effect I've never seen before. <<But overall, it pains me to say it, DLP is not perfect in the maintenance department, but it was still in better shape than WDW was when we went in 2006.>> MK is getting lots of TLC, some around EPCOT too. But show quality is still miserable. And, at its worst, DLP attractions have always been in top shape (even if the buildings looked bad). I was hard-pressed to find effects not working ... and I was looking. Certainly, nothing like EE and CTX where huge elements are never working or PoC and Splash Mtn where it is hit or miss all the time. <<And Spirit, I am sorry to hear about Peter Pan - they were fully repainting the queue when we were there in May.>> Well, they need it again. I have never seen a queue look like that. It reminded me of the old King Kong queue (which was supposed to be covered in graffiti) at Uni-FLA. Dick Nunis would have been out paiting himself. I don't care if it has to be painted nightly (clearly it hadn't of been in months as some of the tagging had dates going back to early August). You deal with it. <<But the Europeans are pigs when it comes to graffitti. It is fully acceptable in most European countries, and some colleges even teach courses on it.>> I know ... it's one of the few things I abhor about Europe. They even tag historic sites. It makes LA gangland areas look clean.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<spirit- and you believe either political party is conerned about your condition ? really ? Of course not. This isn't a political issue, although many on the right do believe that healthcare shouldn't be a right and I will never ascribe to such a belief. I only hope when they or a loved one is ill or dying, they can't pay and are told to go die. <<And both parties as well as all organizations from Freddie Mac to Fannie Mae etc are not run as businesss - There is no preferential treatment based on who one knows ? Seriously ? I have zero problem with wanting all people to be covered- it is the humanitarian thing to do - however someone needs to show the REAL cost of doing such. Lying to people about where the tax impact cutoff will be $250K / year and above and then have it affect anyone making over $50K or even $75k is a bait and switch. I realize campaign promoss are campaign promises - but some freaki' honesty would be appreciated. In Illinois the governor who took over for Blago explained the 100% increase in state income tax is needed to repair the crap that has gone on here for decades all run by one party and one party only. sorry, I an many other can only take so many hits - doubling state income taxes - escalating property taxes to cover for taxes not being paid due to foreclosures , increased taxes on every other single thing from gas to food - living in a state with the highest gas prices / electric / natural gas prices in the country already -- who's worried about me paying my bills ? when government REALLY cuts the waste and the political shenanigans ( i.e pork projects from both parties) and makes a concerted effort to control expenditures I will be far more willing to make additional payments - but when I see the level of corruption that goes on on a daily basis here ( and yes I worked with the Dem machine here years ago- I know exactly how it works - or doesn't work) ->> I can't disagree with anything you said. But I watch as trillions of OUR money is spent on things I certainly don't agree or approve of. Things that don't improve the quality of life for ALL Americans, or even any except a very select few. I really believe the answer is complete removal of the profit-motive in healthcare. Nothing short will do. BTW, since I firmly believe Wall Street runs this country, the following is a very interesting read if you have the time ... shows that it's all just a giant fraud and that everyone in government knows and is in on the joke. <a href="http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/story/30481512/wall_streets_naked_swindle" target="_blank">http://www.rollingstone.com/po..._swindle</a> Capitalism is the antithesis of democracy and people need to wake up to that before we are a third-world nation with nukes and delusions of grandeur.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<I hope you can find a bunch of Mother Teresas to run this utopian system that you envision. There sure isn't anybody around right now that could pull it off.>> I don't like the defeatist mindset. Maybe you're right, but I won't accept that. Not from a country that was founded on beliefs unheard of in an era of monarchs and zealots. Not from a country that has accomplished the seemingly impossible, from curing diseases and sending humans to the moon to becoming a beacon to the world. Maybe some people will say it can't be done, but I'd rather hear people discussing how we're going to do it. The biggest problem with healthcare seems to be money ... and we never are at a shortage when it goes to Wall Street or the military. This can be fixed.
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer >>>Not from a country that was founded on beliefs unheard of in an era of monarchs and zealots. Not from a country that has accomplished the seemingly impossible, from curing diseases and sending humans to the moon to becoming a beacon to the world.<<< Aww, Spirit, you call my writings hopelessly optimistic? ;-) Well said. That was quite poetic. In Disney Terms, it was American Adventure worthy!:-D
Originally Posted By vbdad55 This isn't a political issue, although many on the right do believe that healthcare shouldn't be a right and I will never ascribe to such a belief. I only hope when they or a loved one is ill or dying, they can't pay and are told to go die. well known 'secret' here to show it is not political from either side- the U of Chicago Hospital that our now first lady was an executive for - turns away people without insurance - they send them to other hospitals--funny she was not as benevolent when she was responsible for part of the bottom line. hypocrit
Originally Posted By bobbelee9 Massachusetts requires all people above 18 (or 21) to have health insurance. They started it last year. If you don't have it from an employer, you can get it through the state, but have to meet their criteria (really low income) otherwise, you get charged on your state tax return. I don't remember how much, because it didn't affect me. Several years ago, my dentist dropped my health insurance company because they were so slow in paying. I'm screwed. Our medical expenses are so high partially because doctors have to pay such high mal-practice rates. viscious circle.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 Several years ago, my dentist dropped my health insurance company because they were so slow in paying. I'm screwed. ----------- have a friend who is a GP ( MD) - Medicare poays on average 18 months after billing -- which is why some docs no longer taking medicare patients- and we want to turn more of the health workload over to the same fed group ?
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo >>>- and we want to turn more of the health workload over to the same fed group ?<<< But then the economy of scale kicks in and they find it more worth while. Here I am in the UK now. I am about to get in the car for my last day on a current contract and am concerned about ensuring more revenue comes through my pipeline. At the same time, this week, my son had an excellent speech therapy session and is already making progress. I had my glucose tollerance tests at the hospital to see if I am diabetic, picked up my blood pressure meds and had dental surgery (booked in the day after calling, the only reason it wasn't the day of calling is because I was working 100 miles away from home). My brothers, who sadly have been diagnosed with a genetic wasting disease are undergoing consultation this week and received an appointment from the world's foremost geneticist on the 3rd December. My mom, who has multiple conditions and disabilities where the doctors told me to prepare for her death in 1986 because the US insurers would not cover her, had her quarterly check this week too. I have been paying 11% tax for the last 12 years, but as I sat in the hospital this week, I was really thankful that I did not have to worry about - would insurance cover? Do I have enough money to take care of the bills? Would this cut into the reserves I generated to see me through the interim period between contracts? Thank goodness. The NHS may not be perfect, but as someone who has used US, UK, French and German medical facilities, I was really glad we opted to stay in the UK. I just wish America were the greatest nation and offered these services too (perhaps some people who were dear to me, who lost their homes to pay medical bills because of pre existing conditions might still be here today). Once upon a time, education was not seen as a right for all, but in 1989 the UN made it an international human right. I can only wish the medicine joins that list too, if we are to truly be called civilised.
Originally Posted By bayrr326 Well, to get it back to WDW. Screamscape published a rumor that there will be more pyro cutbacks in Wishes and Illuminations to save money. I was really disappointed with the cuts in Hallowishes. I can't belive how much they have shortened the show. Even my wife's two kids, who were seeing it for the first time, thought the show seemed a little short. I wonder if there will be more cuts to Holiday Wishes and the Illuminations Holiday tag. Of course, all of this is even more disappointing when you see the new show DL got this year for Halloween.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo With the cutbacks in pyro, I do wonder which is the lesser evil - showing a reduced show, or reducing the number of shows. Hmmmmm, hard call that one.
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer ^^^^ I've heard about that in Wishes...Not IllumiNations. Too many contracts there. Thankfully.
